Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie has claimed the Joe Marston Medal as the best player afield in his side’s 1-0 Grand Final win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
Leckie was a warrior for City on the night; deployed in an unexpected role at the base of City’s midfield by head coach Aurelio Vidmar, Leckie made his presence felt all over AAMI Park in a dominant display highlighted by a lunging, goal-saving block to deny Zinedine Machach in the first half that defined his importance to City’s defensive effort, as they shut out Victory to clinch the club’s second Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.
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Heavily bandaged for the majority of the second half after a head collision, Leckie battled on to the final whistle, making three tackles and four clearances, and winning possession for his side on five occasions.
Leckie won 10 of his 15 duels throughout the Grand Final, while playing 13 passes in the final third – more than any of his City teammates on the night. Leckie’s tally of 18 forward passes was also the highest of any City player in the Grand Final triumph.
The veteran Socceroo became City’s second Joe Marston Medallist after Nathaniel Atkinson claimed best on ground honours in the club’s first Grand Final triumph against Sydney FC in 2021.
“Mat Leckie has literally spilled blood for the cause tonight,” said Network 10 commentator SImon Hill in the final moments of the Joe Marston Medallist’s Grand Final performance.
“He’s been incredible. Just incredible,” added co-commentator Andy Harper.
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